“In the moment” is a term that means something different for everybody. Nonetheless, I’m positive that there were occasions when everyone experienced a song on a whole other level.
You were either singing your guts out or dancing your ass (or the lack thereof) off, without a care in the world.
These are the types of songs that brought out a side of you that you yourself didn’t even know existed. They evoked emotions that you didn’t even know festered on the inside.
While you’re listening to them, time seems to stand still and reality is basically non-existent. This leads us to this moment, today’s Playlist Chronicles segment here on #FiveOnFridays.
And for those of you who may be unfamiliar with the concept…
(So basically, I delve into my personal music library on my phone, scroll through all the tracks until I come up with a playlist tailored to a specific theme or topic, then I write about it.)
(I feel it’s great a way to introduce you all to a lot of new music, give you a better idea of my musical palette, and remind myself of what’s actually in my library. Therefore, every song on this list, along with the honorable mentions are exclusively from my personal library.)
So, prepare yourselves Insighters for travel into another dimension as we count down 5 tracks guaranteed to get you lost in the moment.
NUMBER-FIVE
Mike Posner – ‘I Took A Pill In Ibiza’ (Seeb Remix)
Straight out the gate, you get the sense that this song deals mostly with self-reflection. after you’ve hit low, after low, after low. It channels the nonchalant energy you project when you feel as if you have nothing left to lose.
Normally, when someone is at an all-time low, they find themselves in this place of desperation. Thirsting after a sense of purpose, they seek refuge from any source without thinking about the consequential aftermath.
Posner portrays this clearly with lines like, “I took a pill in Ibiza to show Avicci I was cool. And when I finally got sober felt ten years older But fuck it, it was something to do.”
“I’m just a singer, who already blew his shot” , Mike sings as he continues on his confessional tangent. And while riding this tangent of self-reflection, he continues to point out flaws within himself.
In doing so, he’s convincing listeners that living in his shoes is not exactly a walk through the Tuscan Meadows. In fact, it’s brimmed with paranoia, fear, and an inability to open-up to others.
The magnetic production throughout the chorus reminds me of some pitchy laughing and bellowing. It’s one of those sounds that’ll remain with you long after the song.
It allows time for reflection, trapping you in that pyramid of consciousness as you lose track of time and just enjoy the ride. Honestly, Mike Posner truly out-did himself with this melodious electronic ensemble. For he truly knows a sad song.
NUMBER-FOUR
Beyoncé – ‘End of Time’
This track kicks off with this wonky and rhythmic snare that immediately grabs your attention. It sounds like something you’d hear on loop in a very trippy dream.
Enhancing the track is the superb use of instrumentation. Sassy horns and soulful drums work in tandem to give this melody that posseses a flare all its own.
Hell, I haven’t even gotten to the pièce de résistance – the vocals. Beyoncé sings purposefully as she declares her love for this person.
With accompanied harmonies that further convince you of the song’s sincerity, you can’t help but find yourself swept up in its enchantment.
Lyrically, the track is very straight-forward. “I’ll be your baby, now promise not to let you go. Love you like crazy, say you’ll never let me go.” This is where you begin getting lost in the moment as Bey muses to the hypnotic melody.
And then there’s the breakdown filled with distorted “Say you’ll never[s]”. This is the point of the song where you can fully immerse yourself in the track’s emotion.
You feel the pulse and passion through Bey’s vocals “I just wanna be with you. I just wanna live for you. I’ll never let you go. Free your love to me”.
Nearing the end, you inexplicably find yourself getting amped-up over a relationship that’s not even yours, belting in refrain “Say you’ll never let me go.” All in all, this song is just one of the many reason why Bey is Queen.
NUMBER-THREE
One Republic – ‘If I Lose Myself’
There is a cesspool of bands out there, some tend to get lost in the similitude of the industry, but not One Republic. They have this way of drawing you in with lyrics first and production second.
In this gem of a tune, Ryan Tedder begins painting a picture for us as he shares his feelings of fear. The fear of losing someone so near and dear, that their absence from your life will subsequently make you lose touch with yourself.
“I stared up at the sun. Thought of all the people, places, and things that I loved” , he sings honestly triggering a glint of relatability that can’t be overlooked.
As the song progresses, you become enamored by the pleasing instrumentation which is second to the lyrics. Although after the genuine chorus, the production gets its time in the limelight.
It’s this adrenaline-pumping, bouncy groove that builds momentum every time it plays. It somehow creates this aura of light, one that eliminates fear and ensures you that you will not lose this person.
And if that weren’t enough, you have the inspirational outro that fills your heart with joy, “Take us down and we keep trying. Forty-thousand feet keep flying”.
Although simple, the outro which is paired with Tedder’s harmonies and some well-paced keys offers the track cohesion, while getting listeners lost in an encouraging zone.
So, if you’re about to lose yourself in the moment, by all means this is a great song choice, title aside.
NUMBER-TWO
Kygo, Selena Gomez – ‘It Ain’t Me’
I’m probably one of the many people who has never heard of Kygo before this track. And for that, I am sorry. I had no clue what I was missing out on.
This track opens with what sounds like a ukulele and some bongos. It emits a tropical feel that instantly gives you this meditative sense of ease. You somehow feel as if you’re on a excluded beach on an exotic island. Purghaps Fiji.
As the tropical melody continues, Selena Gomez enters with forthright vocals that match the chill mood of the song.
“I had dream. We were sipping whiskey neat. Highest floor, The Bowery. Nowhere’s high enough” , she sings as she creates a vivid image of two lovers whose relationship starts off okay but soon fizzles due to one’s inconsideration.
This ideal is made evident with the lines “You were staying out all night. And I had enough.”
Moving on to the chorus we hear more warnings of not caring anymore, leaving that other person on their own, along with questions of who’s going to be there for you now when shit hits the fan.
And for a moment, you think that this newfound rage, this declaration to leave and never look back is only temporary. However, you’re assured that it’s permanent due to the song’s sinister drop. This is it. This is where the magic happens.
The distorted drop is where Selena and Kygo join forces and the house production throws you into a whirlwind of joy, fury, and freedom. You finally feel as if you’ve dropped some dead-weight in your life.
You reflect on all of the times you were someone’s lifeline but they never reciprocated your efforts.
And now that you’ve finally declared enough is enough, you’re celebratory mood commences. “The Browery, whiskey neat, grateful, I’m so grateful. It ain’t me.”
Ultimately, this is a song that will transport you to a better place, one where you can constantly revisit the moment you took a monumental step forward and kicked somebody’s ungrateful backside to the curb.
Honorable Mentions
- Imagine Dragons – ‘Thunder’ [2017]
- Adele – ‘Hello‘ [2015]
- Dua Lipa – ‘Be The One’ [2017]
- Flume ft. Kai – ‘Never Be Like You’ [2016]
- Florence + The Machine – ‘Shake It Out’ [2011]
*NUMBER-ONE
Lorde – ‘Green Light’
If you’ve ever experienced a rough break-up or reached a point in your life where you feel as if you’re incapable of recovering, then this song is the one for you.
The subtle, yet quirky lyrics will glue themselves to memory as they channel a kamikaze of emotions.
Beginning profoundly serious, Lorde steadies the track with some eyebrow-raising lines like “I know about what you did and I wanna scream the truth. She thinks you love the beach, you’re such a damn liar.”
You can feel the intensity of her words in the minimal instrumentation. But then, things pick-up faster than your brain can process them. Jack Antanoff comes through on the pre-chorus with these upbeat, danceable, peppy keys along with some potent kickdrums.
With the dramatic change in tempo, you’re bemused and left wondering what comes next. Now hearing Lorde mention these “Brand new sounds in [her] mind” and admitting that remnants of this past lover will still be with her, you get the sense that she’s on the verge of an epiphany.
And you’d be absolutely right! The chorus enters the equation and results in a fervent frenzy of emotions. “Oh, I wish I could get my things and just let go. I’m waiting for it that green light. I want it”, she belts as she subconsciously swings back-and-forth between the desire to move forward and granting herself the permission to do so.
It’s like battling the need to prolong your procrastination. You have to get up and fight it, even if it means psyching yourself up by dancing and jumping around with everything you’ve got.
Around the 3 minute mark, this where you cannot avoid getting completely lost and surrendering to the whaling backing vocals and the anthemic, feel-good production.
Everything you’ve ever experienced is brought to the forefront in a crescendo of passion. All of your joy, anger, pain, happiness, and sorrow leak out of you as you dance your heart out to this tune.
And in this timeless moment, nothing else matters. You’re no longer here on Earth. You’re simply in another realm.
At last, as the distorted synths start their final set of hissing, you begin to climb down from your emotional high. Likewise, you look forward to finally moving on with your life and taking on what lies ahead.
You’ve waited and chanted long enough for the green light, now in this moment, it’s yours.
Did you enjoy today’s segment of Playlist Chronicles? What are some song in your music library that get you lost in the moment? Let me know in the comment section below.
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Terran Brice
Sidebar: You’re such a damn liar.